First Annual SOMA Astronaut Summit

As space exploration becomes increasingly accessible, nations around the world are embarking on their own journeys to the stars. This panel brings together representatives from countries who are sending their first private citizens to space with the Space Exploration and Research Agency’s upcoming mission. The competition for a seat in each of these countries is currently ongoing at SERA. Go to https://www.sera.space/ for registration.

Join us for an inspiring session where panelists will share their nations' experiences in selecting and training their inaugural astronauts, the challenges overcome, and the milestones achieved. They will discuss the impact of these historic missions on national pride, technological advancement, and the global space community.

Attendees will gain unique insights into how these pioneering efforts are shaping the future of international collaboration in space exploration. Discover how the decentralization of space access is enabling countries to contribute to humanity's quest to explore the final frontier, inspiring generations to look upward and reach beyond.

Dive into the cutting-edge world of microgravity research. This session spotlights the groundbreaking experiments aboard an upcoming mission by the Space Exploration and Research Agency on Blue Origin's New Shepard spacecraft. Focusing on fluid dynamics and cellular biology, the panel explores how the unique environment of space provides unprecedented opportunities to study physical phenomena and biological processes in ways not possible on Earth.

Space scientists and researchers will share their insights into how microgravity affects fluid behavior—shedding light on flow dynamics, stability, and mixing—and how cells function, grow, and interact without the influence of Earth's gravity. Learn about the technological innovations enabling these experiments, the challenges overcome, and the potential applications of their findings for both space exploration and advancements in technology and medicine back home.

Join us for an enlightening discussion that bridges the gap between space science and practical applications, highlighting the vital role commercial space missions play in pushing the boundaries of knowledge and the emerging role that suborbital missions play in pursuit of this goal. This panel is a must-attend for anyone intrigued by the intersection of physics, biology, and the future of space exploration.

Join us for an intimate fireside chat with the visionary founders of the Space Omics and Medical Atlas (SOMA), a groundbreaking initiative dedicated to investigating astronaut health. In this engaging conversation, the founders will share the inspiration behind SOMA and discuss how their collaborative efforts are revolutionizing space medicine and biology.

They will delve into the creation of CAMbank, the first commercial astronaut biobank accessible to the global scientific research community. Learn how the collection of biospecimen samples during the summit contributes to a rich repository of data, stored and distributed through NASA's Open Science Data Repository. This open-access approach promotes worldwide collaboration, enabling researchers to explore the effects of space travel on the human body like never before.

Attendees will gain unique insights into the challenges and triumphs of establishing SOMA and CAMbank, and how these initiatives are creating accessibility of critical health data and enabling the next phase of space medicine development for astronauts. This fireside chat is a must-see for anyone interested in the intersection of space exploration, biomedical research, and the innovative efforts propelling humanity further into the cosmos.

This dynamic speaker series features leaders from three groundbreaking organizations that are redefining how we access and explore space. "Forging the Future: Innovating Access to the Cosmos" highlights the innovative strategies and technologies these organizations are employing to create new opportunities for space programs and the next generation of astronauts.

Each speaker will showcase how their organization is dismantling traditional barriers to space exploration. Through pioneering advancements in astronaut training and mission planning, they are making space more accessible than ever before. Their insights will shed light on the collaborative efforts and visionary thinking required to push the boundaries of what's possible beyond our planet.

Attendees will gain a deeper understanding of the evolving landscape of the space industry and how these organizations are catalyzing change. This series is a must-see for anyone seeking cutting-edge insight on early developments in new models for space access.

Embark on a journey into the digital cosmos where new media pioneers are transforming how we experience space exploration. This panel explores how content creators and social media influencers bring the wonders of the universe directly to global audiences, often surpassing corporate media in reach and engagement. Discover how their innovative approaches make complex subjects accessible and exciting, fostering global communities and inspiring the next generation of explorers.

Learn how these modern storytellers use platforms like X, YouTube, and other social media platforms to provide exclusive insights into the space industry—from live-streaming launches to behind-the-scenes tours of spacecraft facilities. Panelists will discuss the challenges they face,

the authenticity they bring to their coverage, and how they're shaping the future of space communication in the digital age. Join us for a captivating discussion that highlights the ingenuity and passion driving new media influencers as they stream the stars into our homes and hearts.

As the commercial space industry ushers in a new era of exploration, private astronauts are transcending the role of mere space travelers to become vital contributors to scientific advancement. This panel brings together trailblazer astronauts from Blue Origin's New Shepard, Axiom Space’s Ax-2, and SpaceX's Inspiration4 missions. Panelists will share first hand experiences of conducting research in microgravity environments aboard these ground breaking missions.

The discussion will illuminate the diverse scientific experiments performed, ranging from biomedical studies and materials science to Earth observation and astrobiology. By highlighting the challenges and triumphs of performing science in space without the traditional support structures of government agencies, the panel will showcase how commercial astronauts are pushing the boundaries of what is possible in space-based research.

Join us to explore how these missions are not only decentralizing access to space but also accelerating scientific discovery. Learn how the convergence of commercial enterprise and scientific inquiry is opening new frontiers for research and fostering innovation.

This engaging panel features modern astronauts who have forged unique paths to the stars in an era where space travel is no longer the exclusive domain of national agencies. As the commercial space industry decentralizes access to the cosmos, these trailblazers share their inspiring personal journeys from Earthbound dreamers to starbound explorers. Their stories highlight the new opportunities and challenges that come with a decentralized approach to space exploration.

Panelists will detail into how they've navigated this evolving landscape—overcoming barriers, leveraging private sector innovations, and redefining what it means to be an astronaut today. They will discuss the shifting paradigms of astronaut training, mission preparation, and the role of global collaboration in expanding humanity's reach beyond Earth. Attendees will gain valuable insights into the expanding pathways now available for aspiring spacefarers.

Join us for an intimate conversation that not only celebrates individual achievements but also explores how these personal voyages contribute to the broader mission of humanity venturing deeper into the final frontier. This panel is essential for anyone intrigued by the future of space travel, the expansion of space access, and the human stories propelling us toward new horizons.